Marin Republicans said they were inspired by presidential nominee Mitt Romney's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night — Marin Democrats, not so much.

Morgan Kelley, the former Marin County Republican Central Committee chairwoman, was choking back tears as she said, "He gave me hope, and I haven't had a lot of that in the last four years. I don't want to be ashamed of being successful. I don't want people telling me I'm a bad person for working my ass off and succeeding, because everybody in American should have that right."

Sashi McEntee of Mill Valley, who is a delegate at the Republican convention, said, "It was really inspiring. It was a good introduction for those who feel they may not know Mitt Romney — to learn who he is as a man. It gave people a good view into who he is and what he believes."

Two other Marin Republicans also watched the speech from the convention floor.

Kevin Krick of Fairfax, the current chairman of the Marin County Republican Central Committee, said, "The way he spoke to the audience it was like he was sitting next to you chatting with you. I realized he's a true leader because he's a humble man. He was focused and energized."

Sally Zelikovsky of San Rafael, founder of the Bay Area Patriots and coordinator of the San Francisco Tea Party, said, "Anybody who has any doubts about the presidential qualities that this man has is not paying attention. He is so humble and he's so devoted. He just instills confidence that he's the man to get the job done."

Not all Republicans were satisfied, however.

Terry Graham of Mill Valley, a Ron Paul supporter, said, "I thought the speech was full of platitudes. It took a long time for him to get to a vague plan."

And Marin Democrats were definitely not impressed.

Jessica Jackson of Mill Valley, who will be a delegate at next week's Democratic National Convention, said, " He spent the majority of the speech trying to increase his likeability factor with voters and the thirty seconds he dedicated to discussing his vague five-point plan to turn the nation around completely lacked substance. Mr. Romney failed to state any concrete steps he would take as president to address the issues our nation continues to face."

Norman Solomon, a West Marin author and activist, said, "It was a smooth speech from a candidate for the very wealthy masquerading as a champion of the middle class. Romney sounded like he was running for CEO more than president. He voiced contempt for government and adulation for unregulated business, as though we should forget about the social compact and leave our country to the un-tender mercies of Wall Street."

Paul Cohen, chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, said, "Romney's speech was long on Republican talking points and short on specifics. It attempted to present a kindlier, gentler Mitt Romney."

Andy Hyman of San Rafael, who will also be a delegate at the Democratic convention, said he was outraged at Romney's attacks on President Obama's achievements as president and what he saw as Romney's misrepresentations of the facts.

"The Republicans don't talk about what really happened and why it happened," Hyman said. "Did you hear anybody in the last two nights mention George W. Bush?"